São Paulo – Saudi Agro Food, a food fair in Saudi Arabia, started today (1st) in Riyadh, the capital of the Arab country, and counts on the participation of 16 Brazilian companies. The national pavilion is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. This is the first time that Brazil participates heavily in the event, which continues until next Wednesday (4th).
The Brazilian participation is coordinated by the Agribusiness International Promotion Department, of the Agribusiness Foreign Relations Secretariat. At the 144-square-metre stand, other institutional participants include the Brazilian Cocoa and Confectionery Manufacturers Association (Abicab) and the Brazilian Slaughterhouse Association (Abrafrigo).
Participating companies range from trading companies, which operate in the coffee, rice and sugar industries, to manufacturers of dairy products, food supplements, sweets, seeds and grain, beef and poultry. With a population of 25 million that tends to grow in the next few years, Saudi Arabia has a strong demand for food. The country is now the leading importer of Brazilian chicken.
According to information supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture, Saudi Arabia ranks among the main importers in the world of several products. The country is the leading importer of condensed milk, the fourth leading importer of cheese, raw turkey and chicken meat, the sixth importer of milk powder, and ninth for raw and refined sugar. From Brazil, the Arab market already imports significant amounts of beef, soy and derivatives, maize, coffee and confectionery.
According to information supplied by the organizers of the fair, Saudi Arabia imported the equivalent of US$ 15 billion in food in 2008, growth of 25% over 2007. Brazilian agribusiness exports alone to the Arab country totalled US$ 1.43 billion last year, growth of more than 45% over 2007. However, the Ministry of Agriculture underscores that Brazilian sales to the Middle Eastern country consist mainly of sugar and chicken, which accounted for 75% of exports in the agribusiness industry.
The 16th edition of the fair should bring together 650 exhibitors from more than 35 countries. The segments to be featured at the fair include raw, canned and frozen meat, dairies and milk powder, sodas, juice, coffee and tea, sweets and chocolate, breads and pasta, as well as manufacturing and packaging equipment.
Seminar
On the sidelines of the fair, the Ministry of Agriculture will promote a seminar to attract Saudi investors tomorrow (2nd). The aim is to give an overview of Brazilian agribusiness, opportunities and mechanism for investing in Brazil.
The mission to Saudi Arabia is headed by the Agricultural Policy secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Edilson Guimarães. Also participating in the mission are the director of the Agribusiness International Promotion Department, Eduardo Sampaio, and the secretary general of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
